LESSON 15
TRUE MANLINESS (II)

1. “Fire! fire! ” The cry crept out on the still night air, and the fire bells began to ring. Fred was wakened by the alarm and the red light streaming into his room. He dressed himself in a moment, almost, and tapped at the door of his mother's bedroom.

2. “It is Mr. Barton's house, mother. Do let me go, ” he said in eager, excited tones. Mrs. Liscom thought a moment. He was young, but she could trust him, and she knew how much his heart was in the request.

3. “Yes, you may go, ” she answered; “but be careful, my boy. If you can help, do so; but do nothing rashly.” Fred promised to follow her advice, and hurried to the fire.

4. Mr. and Mrs. Barton were not at home. The house had been left in charge of the servants1. The fire spread with fearful speed, for there was a high wind, and it was found impossible to save the house. The servants ran about, screaming and lamenting, but doing nothing to any purpose.

5. Fred found Tom outside, in safety. “Where is Katy? ” he asked. Tom, trembling with terror, seemed to have had no thought but of his own escape. He said, “Katy is in the house! ” “In what room? ” asked Fred. “In that one, ” pointing to a window in the upper story2.

6. It was no time for words, but for instant, vigorous action. The staircase was already on fire; there was but one way to reach Katy, and that full of danger. The second floor might fall at any moment, and Fred knew it. But he trusted in an arm stronger than his own, and silently sought help and guidance.

7. A ladder was quickly brought, and placed against the house. Fred mounted it, followed by the hired man, dashed in the sash of the window, and pushed his way into the room where the poor child lay nearly suffocated with smoke.

8. He roused her with some difficulty, carried her to the window, and placed her upon the sill. She was instantly grasped by strong arms, and carried down the ladder, Fred following as fast as possible. They had scarcely reached the ground before a crash of falling timbers told them that they had barely escaped with their lives.

9. Tom Barton never forgot the lesson of that night; and he came to believe, and to act upon the belief, in after years, that true manliness is in harmony with gentleness, kindness, and self-denial.

STUDY GUIDE

A. Word Definition

streaming:shining.

eager:wanting to act.

tones:way of speaking.

rashly:without thinking.

for:because.

lamenting:speaking words of regret.

to any purpose:helpful.

trembling:shaking.

but:except.

vigorous:with much energy.

sought:looked for.

guidance:instruction.

dashed:smash.

sash:sliding glass section of a window.

suffocated:unable to breathe.

roused:woke.

sill:lower border of a window frame.

grasped:held.

scarcely:barely.

timbers:wooden beams.

harmony:working together peacefully.

self-denial:not thinking of oneself.

B. Study Notes

1. Some wealthy people have paid workers (or many years ago enslaved workers) who live and work in the house, taking care of the property or preparing meals.

2. In buildings with more than one level, different floors are often called“stories.” For example, a five-story building has five floors.

C. Comprehension Questions

1. Who is Tom?

2. Why did Mrs. Liscom decide to let Fred go to the fire?

3. In paragraph 7, who was the “hired man? ”

4. What do you think of Fred's actions?

5. How would you act if you were in the same situation?

D. Vocabulary—Write a word from the story which matches the definition.

1. E ____: to desire greatly to do something; keen.

2. H ______: to function together perfectly and without error.

3. I ______: immediate; without delay.

4. V _______: full of energy; strong and healthy.